Coin-operated,medallion-forming device



United States Patent [72] inventor Stephen P. Shoemaker, Jr.

137 S. Paciile Ave., Redondo Beach, California 90277 [21 App]. No. 784,563

[22] Filed Dec. 18, 1968 [45] Patented Nov. 17, 1970 [54] COIN-OPERATED, MEDALLION-FORMING' DEVICE 8 Claims, 14 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. (l 194/10 [51] Int. Cl G07f 11/00 [50] Field oi'Search 194/2, 10;

[5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,387,474 6/1968 Shoemaker et al. l94/2X Primary Examiner-Stanley H. Toilberg Attorney-William C. Babcock ABSTRACT: A coin-operated device for sequentially transforming colored blanks of a heat softenabie resinous material into decorative metallic foil-embossed medallions.

COIN-OPERATED, MEDALLlON-FORMING DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention A coin-operated, power-driven device for forming foil-embossed medallions from plastic blanks.

2. Description of the Prior Art In the past, various power-driven coin-operated devices have been devised and used in the manufacture of souvenirs or momentos by molding polymerized materials or pressure forming metallic strips into articles of predetermined configuration and design. The disadvantage of products formed from such prior art devices is that they are formed from but a single material whereby the decorative effectthat-may be imparted thereto is limited. The limited capacity of such prior devices of the type described has beenovercome by the present invention in that preformed plastic blanks of a desired color are stored therein and on which decorative designs of metal foil may be sequentially embossed, with the embossing operation being visible when a person activates the device by depositing a coin therein.

SUMMARY A power-operated device for sequentially transforming blanks of resinous material into decorative foil-embossed structure which is compact, is adapted to store a sufficient,

quantity of medallion blanks therein to last for a prolonged period of time, and which requires a minimum of maintenance and servicing attention.

Yet another object of the invention is to furnish-a decorative medallion-forming device that is both amusing and educational to watch in action, which has a strong appeal from a patronage standpoint.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the power-driven, coinoperated, medallion-forming device;

FIG. 2 is a front elevationalview of the medallion-forming portion of the device, showing the heateddie in a first upwardly disposed position;

FIG. 3 is a horizontal, transverse, cross-sectional view of the device, taken on the line 3-3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is the same front elevational view of the device as shown in FIG. 2, but with the die having been power moved into a blank embossing position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the device, taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 4, illustratingthe first position of the blankmoving plate prior to a coin being deposited in the device;

FIG. 6 is the same top plan view as shown in FIG. 5, but after the blank-moving plate hasbeen rotated to a second position where the blank thereinmay be embossed;

FIG. 7 is thesametop plan view, shown in FIG. 5, after the blank-moving plate has moved the blank that has been transformed into an embossed medallion and is ready to discharge it from the device;

FIG. 8 is the same top plan view shown in FIG. 5, but showing the blank-moving plate after return thereof-to a position to receive another blank;

FIG. 9 is the same top plan view shown in FIG. 5,.but with the blank-moving plate holding a second blank;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, vertical, cross-sectional view of the device, taken on the line 10-10 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary, vertical, cross-sectional view of a portion of the device, taken on theline 11-11 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is an end elevational view of the medallion-forming portion of the device;

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary; bottom'plan view of the device,

taken on the line 13-13 of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 14 is a diagrammatic view of the electric circuit used in actuating the device.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT resinous material of a desired color. The blanks C are preferable circular and resemble silver dollars, although blanks of other shapes may be employed if desired.

A first horizontal stationary plate D is provided in cabinet A, as may best be seen in FIG. 12, and a number of openings 10 are formed in this plate that are engaged by the lower ends of the reservoirs B. A second circular plate E is disposed directly below plate D, which is preferably in rotatable slidable contact with the under surface of the first plate. The thickness of second plate E is substantially the same as that of one of the circular blanks C. v

A third plate F is supported in a fixed position'in cabinet A and is'situated directly under the plate E, as shown in FIG. 12. An opening 12 (FIG. 11) is formed in plate F through which a decorative medallion C may discharge to pass through a passage 14 by force ofgravity to be retrieved by the person actuating the device.

An elongate strip G of metal foil is provided that is wider than the diameter ofthe blank C to be embossed. Strip G, as illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, extends transversely across the upper surface of the first plate D, and by means of two resilient, frictional gripping rollers J and .I', this strip is intermittently unwound from a reel H. The reel H is rotatably supported in the cabinet A on a shaft 11 shown in FIG. 4.

The second roller J is intermittently driven by a first motor K (FIG. 12). A vertically movable metal foil embossing die L is provided that is heated by an electric heater M, as also shown in FIG. 12, and this die and heating element are concurrently moved upwardly and downwardly by power means N, as best shown in FIGS. 2 and 12.

The second plate E is intermittently driven by a second motor 0 (FIG. 12) to sequentially advance the stored blanks C into aposition to be formed into medallions C. A third motor is also provided, as may be seen in FIGS. 12 and 14, that drives the power means N upwardly and downwardly. A

fourth motor T is included that concurrently rotates a number of cams Q, and as these-cams rotate sequentially they open and close a number of switches S forming a part of an electric circuit shown in detail in FIG. 14.

In detail, the cabinet A,.as may be seen in FIG. 1, includes two vertically extending side pieces 16 and a top 18. The lower portion 20 of cabinet A is completely enclosed, and defines a confined space 22 that is illustrated in FIG. 2. A window 23 is provided in the upper forward portion of cabinet A which is closed by a sheet 25 of transparent material that is preferably of a nonbreakable type such as Plexiglas, or the like. The rear wall 24 (FIG. 4) of cabinet A is removable to permit access to the upper and lower confines thereof.

A shelf 26 (FIG. 12) is located within the confines of cabinet A, on which a heavy flat base 28 is supported. Situated a relatively substantial distance above shelf 26 and within cabinet A, a horizontal, transverse cross piece 30 extends from which a bracket 32 projects upwardly. A gear reduction unit 34 that is actuated by the third motor P is secured to the bracket 32. A drive shaft 36 forming a part of the unit 34 extends forwardly through an opening (not shown) in the bracket '32 in the manner illustrated in FIG. 12. A disc 38 is rigidly secured to shaft 36, and an arm 40 projects forwardly from this disc in a direction normal to the shaft.

A tubular sleeve 42 is pivotally supported from the arm 30, with the sleeve telescopically engaging a rod 43, the lower end of which is pivotally connected to an L-shaped lug 44. Lug 44 is connected to the upper surface of a crossbar 46 in which spaced vertically extending bores 48 are formed that slidably engage guide rods 50 which project upwardly from shelf 26. A block of heat insulating material 52 is secured to the under surface of the crossbar 36 (FIG. 12) that likewise slidably engages the guide rods 50. A second block 54 of a rigid heat transferring material is secured to the under surface of block 52, and an elongate, horizontal cavity 56 is formed in this second block in which the heater M is disposed. The die L is secured to block 54 by conventional means, as shown in FIG. 12.

An elongate helical spring 58 is disposed about rod 43 (FIG. 12), with the upper end of the spring secured to the lower portion of the sleeve 42, and with the lower end of the spring being held in a fixed position relative to the lug 44. When the disc 38 isrotated and the die L moved downwardly as a result thereof, the spring 58 is compressed and a uniform pressure is exerted by the die L on a portion of foil strip G and blank C situated thereunder to be embossed, as will be explained in detail later. When the disc 38 is rotated to move the sleeve 42 upwardly, the spring 58 raises the die assembly L, blocks 52 and 54, and crossbar 46 to a top position shown in FIG. 12.

As previously mentioned, the tubular reservoirs B are arcuately arranged on the same radius about a vertical stud bolt 62 which projects upwardly from base 28 through central, vertically aligned openings (not shown) provided in the first, second, and third plates D, E, and F, respectively. An opening 60 is formed in first plate D that is in vertical alignment with die L, and this opening is of such size as to permit the embossing portion of the die to move downwardly therethrough. Opening 60 is the same distance from bolt 62 as that of openings 10.

A single circular opening 64 is formed in plate E, and the distance between this opening and bolt 62 is the same as that of opening 60. When the opening 64 rotates under one of the reservoirs B containing blanks C, one of the blanks will drop into opening 64 to slide along the upper surface of plate F until it is disposed in vertical alignment with die L. The die L may then be moved downwardly to emboss the blank C, together with the foil strip G in a decorative design.

After the blank C has been transformed into the embossed medallion C, this finished piece is moved by plate E into the position shown in FIG. 7 where it drops downwardly by force of gravity through the opening 12 in plate F into passage 14, as shown in FIG. 11. A receptacle (not shown) is positioned at the lower end of passage 14 to receive and hold the medallion C until it is retrieved by the user of the device Z. During an embossing operation, the second plate E is rotated intermit-.

tently from the first position shown in FIG. through the positions shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 to return to the first position shown in FIG. 9, which is identical to that illustrated in FIG. 5.

The second plate E rotates in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in FIGS. 5 through 9 inclusive, and the circular blank C that drops into the opening 64, will be a blank from the first of the reservoirs B under which opening 64 passes. Thus, the reservoirs B will be sequentially depleted of blanks C in a counterclockwise direction as the medallion-forming device Z is operated. The third plate F has a recess 68 formed therein that is occupied by a driven gear 70, as shown in FIG. 13 that is secured by conventional means to the under side of the second plate E.

The driven gear 70 is rotated by a driving gear 72 secured to a shaft 74 on the geared-down electric motor 0. The motor 0 is partially disposed in an opening 76 formed in the shelf 26, as may be seen in FIG. 12. A nut 78 is threaded on the upper portion of bolt 62 to maintain the first, second and third plates D, E and F in adjacent relationship, as shown in FIG. 12. Each medalliomforming cycle is automatically controlled by the elements illustrated inthe electrical diagram shown in FIG. 14, and with the operation of the device Z being initiated by depositing a coin 80 therein, as shown in FIG. 14. When the coin 80 is deposited in the medallion-forming device 2, it momentarily closes an electric switch 82 shown in FIG. l4 that is provided with a movable blade 84. v

The electric circuit R includes tW0 -c0nductors 86 and 88 connected to a pronged plug9Qwhich can be removably inserted in a conventional electricoutlet (not shown). The conductor 88 has junction points 884,88b and 88c from'which conductors 92, 94, 96 and 98 extend to motors T, K, P and O, as shown in FIG. 14.

A conductor 100 extends from ductor 102 extends from a junction point 100a to blade 84 of switch 82, which switch is normally open. When switch 82 is momentarily closed by a coin 80, the blade 84 is brought into engagement with a contact 104. Contact 104 is connected by a conductor 106 extending to a first terminal of a solenoid 108, which solenoid forms a part of a holding relay U. The

second terminal of solenoid 108 is connected by a conductor 1 10 to junction point 112a ofa conductor 112.

Junction point 106a is connected by a conductor 114 to armature 116 forming a part of relay U. When relay U is closed, armature 116 engages a contact 118 that is connected by a conductor 120 to a first contact 122 of a single pole, double pole switch 124. Switch 124 includes a blade 126 that is connected to conductor 100. Blade 126 can occupy a second position where it engages a contact 128, which is connected by a conductor 130 to junction point I120. The switch 124 normally occupies the first position shown in FIG. 14, but may be moved to the second position by cam Q-I. Conductors I32 and 92 connect fourth motor T to junction points ll2b and 88a, respectively.

When switch 82 is momentarily closed by a coin 80, solenoid 108 is energized to move blade 116 into engagement with contact 118. Electric current then flows to one terminal of solenoid 108 through conductors 86 and 100, blade 126, contact 122, conductor 120, contact 118, armature I16, conductors 114 and 106, and to the other terminal of the solenoid through conductors 110, 112, 132, fourth motor T, and conductors 92 and 88. Relay U' is then in a holding position, and current will be supplied to fourth motor T after switch 82 returns to an open position.

The rotation of fourth motor T causes concurrent rotation of the cams 0-1, 0-2, 0-3 and 0-4 shown in FIG. 14 by driving a shaft 133 on which the cams are mounted. The shaft 133 is rotatably supported by brackets 135 secured to the top 18. When Q-l starts to rotate, it moves switch 124 from a first position shown in FIG. 14 to a second position in which blade 126 engages contact 128. When in the second position, blade 126 continues to complete a circuit to supply electric current to fourth motor T. However, when blade 126 moves from the first to the second position, the circuit to solenoid 108 of relay U is broken.

Closing of switch 124 completes a circuit to fourth motor 0 to start movement of second plate E from the first position shown in FIG. 5 towards the second position illustrated in FIG. 6. Second plate E, when in the second position, places one of the blanks C in vertical alignment with die L. One terminal of the fourth motor 0 is connected to plug 90 by conductors 88 and 98. The other terminal of the fourth motor 0 is connected to a conductor 134 that extends to a contact 136 of a normally closed switch 138. Switch 138 is located under third plate F, as shown in FIG. 10, and has a spring-loaded actuator 140 that extends upwardly through an opening 142 in the third plate F to slidably engage the lower surface of second plate E.

A slot 144 is formed in second plate E (FIGS. 5 to 10) that allows actuator 140 to move to a position in which a blade 146 of switch 138 separates from engagement with contact I36 when the slot 144 is in the position shown in FIG. 6. Blade I46 is connected to conductor 112. Thus, the circuit to fourth motor 0 is broken 'after the motor has rotated second plate E to the second position shown in FIG. 6 where a blank C is in a junction point 86a. A conposition to be metal-embossed by downward movement of die L.

During the embossing operation of a blank C, the cam 04 continues to rotate. Upon completion of the embossing operation the cam Q-4 closes a normally open switch 150 which includes a blade 152 and contact 154. Contact 154 is connected by a conductor 156 to junction point 134a. Closing of switch 150 completes a circuit to second motor to rotate second plate E from the second position shown in FIG. 6 through the third position illustrated in FIG. 7 where the embossed medallion discharges through the passage 14. Plate E continues to be rotated by the second motor 0 until the second plate returns to the first position illustrated in FIGS. and 9, whereupon cam Q-4 allows switch 150 to assume its normally open position and break the circuit to the second motor 0.

After the plate E has reached the second position shown in FIG. 6, the cam Q-3 closes a normally open switch 158 that includes a blade 160 and contact 162. Blade 160 is connected to junction point 86b by a conductor 164, as may be seen in FIG. 14. A conductor 166 extends from contact 162 to one terminal of third motor P. Conductor 164 is also connected to a blade 168 of a normally open switch 170, which switch has a contact 172 that is connected by a conductor 174 to junction point 166a.

Cam Q-3 momentarily closes the normally open switch 158 to energize third motor P and rotate disc 38 to move die L downwardly to emboss one of the blanks C. Upon initial rotation of disc 38, it closes the normally open switch 170 to maintain a completed circuit to third motor P. After third motor P rotates disc 38 through one revolution during which a blank C is embossed by die L, the disc allows switch 170 to assume its normally open position, and the circuit to third motor P is broken.

A second terminal of first motor K is connected by a conductor 176 to a contact 178 of a normally open switch 180 that includes a blade 182, as shown in FIG. 14. Blade 182 is connected by a conductor 184 to junction point 86b. During the time plate E is moving from the second position shown in FIG. 6 to that shown in FIG. 9, the second cam Q-2 closes switch 180. Switch 180 is maintained closed for a sufficient period of time to permit first motor K to advance metal strip G a longitudinal distance greater than the diameter of one of the blanks C. The strip G must be of sufficient width that after a portion thereof has been removed by the die L, sufficient stock remains to permit the first motor K to rotate the roller J to advance the strip G and place an uncut segment thereof in vertical alignment with die L ready for the next embossing operation. After motor K has so advanced strip G, the circuit to the first motor is broken by cam Q-2, allowing switch 180 to assume a normally open position. A tapered bar 188 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is transversely disposed in a fixed position relative to strip G, and as the strip is moved relative to the first plate D, the band is lifted upwardly slightly and separated from the portion of the strip G embossed on the blank C. Upon return of second plate E to the first position shown in FIG. 9 with a second blank that is to be embossed, cam Q-I moves switch 124 to the position shown in FIG. 14 where the circuit to fourth motor T is broken.

Electric energy for the heater M is supplied through conductors I90 and 192 that are connected to junction points 86c and 88d (FIG. 14). The lower end of passage 14 is provided with a receptacle (not shown) into which the medallion C' (not shown) drops to be retrieved by the person depositing the coin 80 in the device described herein.

The electric circuit R includes a first portion that is closed continuously and supplies current to the heater M. The second portion of the circuit R is intermittently open and closed by switch 124 and cams 0.

Although the invention above described will normally be housed in a separate cabinet A, the word cabinet may also be construed to be a recess in a wall of building structure in which the medallion-forming elements of the invention Z could be disposed.

The operation of the invention may be summarized as follows:

1. A coin is deposited in the medallion-forming device 2 to actuate the same.

2. The normally open relay U is momentarily closed to start fourth motor T to rotate cams Q, with Cam 0-1 as it rotates closing normally open switch 124 to supply elcc tric energy to the fourth motor T during the embossing operation. i

3. Cams 0-2, 0-3 and 0-4 as they rotate cooperate with second plate E and disc 38 as they rotate to open and close switches in the second portion of circuit R to sequentially energize second, third and fourth motors O, P and T respectively, to move second plate E through the cycle shown in FIGS. 5 to 9 inclusive, during which cycle die L moves upwardly and downwardly to emboss one of said dies.

4. Cam Q-l upon the completion of an embossing cycle returns switch 124 to the position shown in FIG. 14 where the second portion of circuit R is deenergized.

5. The first portion of circuit R continuously supplies electric current to heater M to maintain die L in a heated condition. The heated die L softens the upper exterior surface of the blank C disposed as shown in FIG. .6, and to the extent that the metal foil strip G in the predetermined design is embossed thereon. Due to the helical spring 58, the blank C being embossed is subjected to but a maximum desired pressure by the die L.

lClaim:

1. A coin-operated, power-driven, medallion-forming device for sequentially transforming a plurality of vertically stacked blanks of a heat softenable material into medallions including an embossed metal decorative design on at least one side thereof, comprising:

a. a cabinet;

b. at least one vertical tubular reservoir in said cabinet in which a plurality of said blanks are stacked;

a first horizontal stationary plate in said cabinet in which at least one first opening is formed that is in communication with the lower end of said reservoir, and with a second opening formed in said first plate circumferentially spaced from said first opening;

d. a second rotatable plate under said first plate in which a third opening is formed that is so disposed as to be verti cally alignable with said first and second openings, which second plate is substantially the same thickness as that of one of said blanks and of such transverse configuration that one of said blanks may be removably disposed therein;

e. a third horizontal stationary plate in said cabinet on which said second plate rotatably and slidably rests, in which third plate a fourth opening is formed with which said third opening may be aligned, said fourth opening being circumferentially spaced from said second opening, and with said fourth opening being in communication with a downwardly extending passage through which one of said blanks drops after transformation thereof into a medallion;

f. a vertically movable embossing die in said cabinet above said first plate and in vertical alignment with said second opening;

g. an elongate strip of metal foil that is wider than the diameter of one of said blanks, which strip extends across said first plate above said second opening;

h. an electric heater, which when energized, heats said die, which heater and die are disposed in a fixed relationship;

i. a plurality of circular cams that rotate concurrently;

j. first, second, third and fourth electrically controlled power means, which first means, upon actuation, advances said strip a distance greater than the diameter of one of said blanks across said first plate, with said second means when activated moving said heated die upwardly and downwardly upon vertical alignment of said second and third openings to pressure contact said foil and one of said blanks in said second opening to emboss said decorative design in metal foil on said blank, and with said third means upon actuation moving said second plate through one revolution, which fourth means when actuated concurrently rotates said carns; and

k. an electric circuit including a first normally closed portion that supplies electric energy to said heater, and a second normally open portion which is closed after deposition of a coin of predetermined value in said device, with said second portion including a plurality of switches that are sequentially opened and closed by the rotation of said cams and the movement of said second and third means to cause actuation of said third means to rotate said second plate from a first position to a second position where said blank in said third opening is in vertical alignment with said die, which said second means thereafter is actuated to move downwardly and then upwardly to emboss said blank in said second opening with a portion of said metal foil, said third means then being actuated to rotate said second plate to said first position, with said second plate as it moves to said first position discharging said transformed blank through said fourth opening into said passage, and said third opening thereafter receiving another of said blanks from said first opening, with said first power means after said embossing operation being actuated to advance said strip a distance greater than the diameter of one of said blanks across said second opening, and said second portion of said circuit being placed in an open condition upon the return of said second plate to said first initial position.

2. A coin-operated device, as defined in claim 1, wherein said cabinet is provided with an opening therein through which the medallion-forming operation may be observed, which device further includes: a pane of transparent material affixed to said cabinet that spans said opening.

3. A coin-operated device as defined in claim 1 which further includes:

1. a roller on which said strip of metal foil is coiled prior to use; and

m. means for rotatably supporting said strip in said cabinet on a first side of said first plate.

4. A coin-operated device as defined in claim 3 wherein said first power means further includes:

n. two resilient rollers in pressure contact and rotatably supported on a second side of said first plate, with a cut-out portion of said strip being frictionally gripped between said rollers; and

o. a first electric motor that rotates one of said rollers to advance said strip when said first motor is electrically energized, which first electric motor is connected to said second portion of said electric circuit.

5. A coin-operated device as defined in claim 4 which further includes: means for separating the cut-out portion of said strip from said blank that has been embossed upon completion of the embossing operation.

6. A coin-operated device as defined in claim 1 wherein said second power means further includes:

l. a geared-down electric motor connected to said second portion of said electric circuit, which motor is disposed above said first plate in said cabinet;

m. a vertical disc rotatably driven by said motor;

n. an arm extending outwardly from a peripheral portion of said disc;

0. a sleeve pivotally supported from said arm;

p. a plurality of spaced, upwardly extending guide rods disposed at fixed positions in said cabinet at least partially above said first plate and forwardly of said disc;

q. a crossbar assembly for said die and heater which slidably engages said guide rods;

r. a rod pivotally connected to said assembly that extends upwardly therefrom and telescopically engages said sleeve; and

s. a helical spring that encircles said rod and is connected to said sleeve and said assembly, with said spring being compressed after said die is in contact with said foil above one of said blanks to exert a predetermined maximum pressure on said blank, which due to being heated softens a surface area of said blank to the extent that said metal foil in a decorative design will adhere thereto.

7. A coin-operated device as defined in claim 1 in which said third means further includes:

l. a driven gear secured to the lower surface of said second plate, with said gear being disposed in an opening in said third plate;

in. a driving gear in said opening in said third plate and in engagement with said driven gear; and

n. a geared-down motor that drives said driving gear, which motor is connected to said second portion of said electric circuit.

8. A coin-operated device as defined in claim 1 wherein said fourth means further includes:

1. a shaft rotatably supported in a fixed position relative to 'said cabinet, with said cams rigidly secured to said shaft;

and

m. a geared-down electric motor connected to said shaft,

which motor is electrically connected to said second portion of said electric circuit. 

